6 Best 7.62×39 Rifles [2024]: AK Alternatives Reviewed

What is the best 7.62×39 rifle on the market? Good question. It actually took a bunch of legwork for me to find out since most of my tribe uses either 5.56×45 or .300 Blackout.

But I will always find the answers to your questions. Like a Chic-Fil-A worker, it’s my pleasure.

Most of us know the famed cartridge from its use in the streets of Chicago, Los Angeles, and the Middle East. Go figure. The high-powered .30 caliber round does not ask twice and is a fan favorite of the good and the bad guys.

I’ve gathered you here today to talk about the best 7.62×39 rifles that are aching for a spot in your safe. Most of them will be AK-style, of course, but I’ve also found some bolt-action rifles and hybrids that you may enjoy.

So, before I bore you to death, let’s jump into this list and talk about some other things to consider before you seal the deal on your new 7.62. That rhymed.

If you’re short on time, I’ve made a shortlist for you so you can go do what you gotta do. You should probably stick around until the end, though. I’m a pretty funny guy. Guaranteed.

Image	Product	Price
	Best Overall – CMMG Banshee MK47	Check Price
	Best Value – PSA AK47 GF3-E	Check Price
	Best AK Style In 7.62×39 – James River Armory AKM	Check Price
	Best AR/AK Hybrid – CMMG MK47 Mutant	Check Price
	Best AR in 7.62×39 – Sig Sauer MCX 7.62	Check Price
	Best Bolt Action – Ruger American Ranch in 7.62×39	Check Price

Best Overall – CMMG Banshee MK47

Specifications

Pros & Cons

If you don’t mind spending the extra cash for something that will last you a lifetime (and then some), then you may want to take a look at the CMMG Banshee Mk47.

With a 12.5-inch barrel or 8-inch barrel, you have a maneuvrable heavy hitter ready for any fight. Like Mike Tyson in the 90s, this is your right hook that won’t ask twice when you need it, but quicker than a jab for when you have to move around.

I hope you like boxing.

I said that I would explain what PowerBolt Technology is, and the answer to your question is “a larger and more durable bolt face to accommodate heavier loads.”

But why is that important? For short, we’ll call it PBT.

When you compare the powerbolt to your typical AR-10 bolt, you will find that the powerbolt is actually ¾ of an inch shorter, which lowers the felt recoil when firing since the bolt is lighter. But the best part is that the powerbolt has thicker walls to deal with higher pressured cartridges.

It’s a win-win scenario. Lighter but more durable.

As for the durability of the rifle itself, I’ve heard of the Mk47 with more than 100,000 rounds through the barrel; say that the piece still functions as it did when they got it. Still holding the rifling in the barrel and suffering from no issues at all.

That’s pretty damn durable if you ask me. And why the Mk47 Banshee deserves the overall best 7.62×39 rifle spot on this list.

Just make sure you bring ear protection. It’s loud.

Here is a video of IraqVeteran8888 on YouTube melting down the CMMG Mk47.

Best Value – PSAK-47 GF3

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Don’t want to choose between the vacation with your spouse and a new rifle? Palmetto State Armory is the best place to find an AK that will hold up to the old reliability of the AK-47 with some modern touches.

The GF3 from Palmetto State is a no-frills AK-47-style rifle that features hammer-forged upgrades in the bolt, carrier, and trunnion to live up to the name.

Everything about this rifle has been built from the ground up to give you everything you love about the AK-47 at a price you can agree with.

Of course, you won’t get the fancy components you would on a rifle above the thousand-dollar mark, but that can be added later on. There are a ton of different manufacturers that make aftermarket parts for these rifles.

One of the best things about any rifle from PSA is the lifetime warranty you get with your firearm. If anything breaks on the rifle or you have any issues with workmanship or something, they will take it back, fix it better, and ship it right to you. No questions asked.

That’s something a lot of other manufacturers don’t offer.

I would only advise against this rifle if you want an AK-style rifle with more features. But if you just want an AK-47 style, here you go.

Best AK Style – James River Armory AK-47

Specifications

Pros & Cons

So you don’t want any remakes or modern features. You want it exactly how Mikhail Kalashnikov designed it back in 1946. I got you.

There is beauty in the original AK-47, and I’m sure there are some 1946 production rifles out there still in rotation. Everything was built better back in the day.

While the James River Armory AK-47 is a Romanian version, which may piss off some purists out there, James River Armory has the best AK-47s on the market if you want the real deal Holyfield.

Once you pick up this beefcake of a rifle, it’s easy to understand why the AK has been in service for so long. It’s sturdy, made from quality parts, and the design is good enough to make Mikhail smile.

There are no frills. You get the same components on the James River AK-47 as the Soviets did back in the day. Nothing more and nothing less.

You’re holding history in your hand. It may have seen some combat as well. You never know.

If you want the hardwood stock, James River also has their AKM available at Classic Firearms.

Best AR/AK Hybrid – CMMG Resolute Mk-47 

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Another CMMG on the list? Did they pay us to mention their rifles?

Not a chance, fine shooter. Don’t play me like that. They just make some damn good AK-47-style rifles.

I’ve said a lot about the CMMG Banshee, which is my pick for the overall best rifle in 7.62×39 (even though it’s a pistol size) because maneuvering is important for a defensive rifle.

The Resolute Mk-47 is everything you love about the Banshee Mk-47, but with a longer barrel that gets the most out of the 7.62×39 round. It also features more space for whatever you may want to throw on the handguard, like a light or IR laser setup.

And you don’t have to worry about breaking any unconstitutional laws.

Like the Banshee, the Resolute also features the Powerbolt tech that beefs up the walls of the bolt to handle higher pressures in different loads. This means you don’t have to worry about steel case ammo messing up your rifle and sending money down the drain.

Its ambidextrous safety and charging handle make this rifle perfect for the boog, and the 16-inch barrel makes it easier for you to reach out and touch any fed boys in the distance.

The only downside is that the length of the barrel may be a bit too long for home defense usage. Especially if you live in a small apartment like I do because you spend too much money on firearms. But you and I both know that there is nothing that training cannot overcome.

It did for me.

Best AR in 7.62×39 – Sig Sauer Spear-MCX LT in 7.62×39

Specifications

Pros & Cons

If you want to keep the aesthetics of an AR-15 but want a heavier round, Sig Sauer makes their winning rifle in a plethora of different ammo types. Including 7.62×39.

And they’ve also brought some new tech to the table as well. Well, new to them.

A gas buffer system replaces the old standard setup where you have a buffer tube to help with recoil mitigation. What Sig did to make it possible to fire without a buffer tube or anything of that nature is they moved the buffer tube into the upper receiver.

The bolt carrier still exists, but it is way smaller than your standard AR-10 bolt carrier group and smaller than an AR-15’s as well.

It’s short and stubby. And Sig made some changes to the bolt face as well by adding two extractor plungers, so you can get those steel casings out of there without an issue.

There is a bunch of features that Sig features on their Spear MCX in 7.62×39. What you get in the end is a smooth recoiling rifle that is ready for whatever you want to throw at it.

Including any type of ammo.

It’ll cost you, though.

Check out our SIG Spear MCX LT review for more info.

Best Bolt Action – Ruger American Ranch in 7.62×39

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Are you looking to get into hunting but don’t want to spend a ton of money on ammo? I got good news. 7.62×39 is cheap, and so is the Ruger American Ranch. But not cheaply made.

Ruger has been around for a long time, and the American Ranch is one rifle that I love.

It’s fun to shoot, it can reach out, and it performs beyond its price point. What more can you ask for?

How about more than a five-round magazine? Ruger has you covered there. This little guy accepts Mini-30 magazines which bring your capacity up to 30 rounds of unsolicited bolt-action 7.62×39 madness.

And it punches hard. Easily taking down any deer at 400 yards like clockwork. Or any other mid-size game that you can think of.

I consider this to be one of the best rifles for your introduction to hunting for that reason. For under $700 bucks, you get a damn good rifle with versatility.

The only issue with the Ruger American Ranch in 7.62×39 (that I could find) is that it doesn’t shut on a round when you insert it manually. It’s not the biggest of deals, but it can be a bit of a hassle to have to load up the magazine every time.

Other than that, this rugged little bolt-action rifle is perfect for the truck or the trail. And it goes easy on the pockets.

Everyone wins.

Finding these picks was a bit difficult. I’ve only fired so many rifles chambered in 7.62×39 in my lifetime, so I had to rely more on the opinions of the fine shooters that I rub shoulders with on a daily basis.

There were multiple hour-long phone calls with multiple people and plenty of visits to my local gun store.

We went for rifles that are in production, offer features that one would want in a similar firearm chambered in a different round (mounting platforms and things of that nature), and were fairly priced with the exception of maybe one or two rifles.

This is the end result.

Well, I suppose you must have some questions, no? I can’t be that good at my job. Let’s talk about a few things you should consider when buying your rifle in 7.62×39.

What is 7.62×39 Best Used For?

7.62×39 has been around for 70+ years. I’m sure it has been used in multiple roles. Whether it be home defense, hunting, or protecting your cache of RPGs and IEDs in the Middle East, this round has seen it all.

The 7.62×39 round has no shortage of stopping power and does not have to ask twice when it hits its target. With 1,000 ft. lbs of energy at 100 yards, it’s enough to take down any feral hog that might be chewing on the bones of your crops.

Mostly, it is used for hog hunting and hunting other big game. In the States, anyway.

And for those of you who say that the 7.62×39 isn’t an accurate cartridge, I have to say you’re wrong. Most mass-produced 7.62×39 ammo is crap; you can’t polish a turd. But let’s see you slap some match-grade ammo in there and punch a target at 300 yards. That’ll change your tune.

Quickly.

I will say that the 7.62×39 is louder than a Ron Jeremy video, so using it indoors in a home defense scenario is going to rob you of your hearing pretty damn quickly. In a home defense build, even if it’s to lower the decibels just a little bit, you are definitely going to want a suppressor.

On the bright side, the penetration of the 7.62×39 is lower than that of the 5.56×45, so you won’t have to worry about hitting the neighbor’s dog or the neighbor himself.

Don’t worry; your target will drop before your trigger resets. You won’t have to lay down the hammer twice.

Personally, I’d keep it for hunting or when the boog begins.

Is 7.62×39 Good For Home Defense?

There’s a reason why the 7.62×39 has been in service for more than 75 years.

No matter what substance anyone is on, whether it be crack or anything else, when they get hit with that beast of a round, they will drop like a sack of potatoes. No questions asked.

I’ve heard horror stories of what a 7.62×39 does to a human body. I had to cleanse my ears with holy water and go to church three times that week.

I mentioned before that from 100 yards, the .30 caliber cartridge will deliver 1,000 ft. lbs of energy to the target. Within a few feet, you’re punching that intruder with 1,507 ft-lbs of energy. I would say it’s overkill, but then again, this is America.

Hit that intruder with 10mm if you can. Even the odds.

I also mentioned before that the 7.62×39 is extremely loud. So using it in an enclosed space when ear protection is not an option is a guaranteed recipe for hearing damage. But it’s better than watching your family get hurt, so there’s that.

Hunting With 7.62×39

Hogs? Coyotes? Deer? Easy day. The 7.62×39 makes easy work of said animals within 200 yards. They don’t stand a chance.

Even at 200 yards, you can still deliver about 788 ft. lbs of kinetic energy to the target. Or the animal in this case.

The problem with the 7.62×39 is how quickly the bullet drops after it leaves the barrel. With almost eight inches of drop at 200 yards, you have to be careful about your shot placement.

While hogs and coyotes are a pain to deal with, and ethical kills are not as important because they suck, you don’t want a missed shot to scare off your game.

You may agree or disagree, but that’s okay.

Deers, on the other hand, are cool. They just wanna eat grass. And we want to give them as good of a sendoff as possible.

An ethical kill on a deer is not hard to get when you use 7.62×39, but when you start pushing the distance between you and the eight-point. If you’re a kind-hearted soul who doesn’t want to make the deer suffer, it’s best to close the distance as much as possible.

If you want to shoot deer at a distance, go with .270 Winchester. And if you want more stopping power with a little range, go with a .308 Winchester.

Best Barrel Length For 7.62×39

Maybe you already knew this. Maybe you didn’t. But most rounds have a preferred barrel length that allows them to perform at the maximum capacity in which they were designed to perform.

America’s favorite cartridge, the 5.56×45, is one example that most of you probably know of at this point. It’s long as hell.

18-20 inches is where you see the full capabilities of the 5.56×45. That’s only if you’re wanting to take the round out on a long walk. But that’s too long for most cases where the 5.56×45 is used. Swinging an 18-20 inch barrel around the corner in your house is not wise.

May as well buy a Kentucky rifle.

7.62×39, on the other hand, does best out of a 16-inch barrel. That’s the sweet spot for this .30 caliber beast.

This round is not meant for reaching out and touching someone. As Mikhail Kalashnikov said, “The AK-47 is a weapon of defense, not a weapon of offense.”

It’s still good for hunting out to 300 yards or less.

So there you have it. If you’re looking for the best rifle chambered in 7.62×39, then you can’t go wrong with any of the rifles above. Especially the CMMG Banshee, which can take the beating and keep on heating (I just made that up) for years and years to come.

What do you think? Did I miss anything? I’m sure there are many of you out there who have experience with the popular .30 caliber round. If you can share those below with me, I’d greatly appreciate it.

And so will the other readers. We all gotta learn!

See you on the range, fine shooter.